By Dustin Dow
The Cincinnati Enquirer

The Meijer 300 returns to Kentucky Speedway on Saturday, and the track's premier event is on pace to sell out for the fourth straight year.

The NASCAR Busch Series race also will include seven Nextel Cup drivers, a record for a Busch Series race at Kentucky Speedway. Bengals coach Marvin Lewis will serve as the Grand Marshal.

Kentucky native Michael Waltrip as well as Nextel Cup drivers Kasey Kahne, Greg Biffle and Robby Gordon will race in both the Meijer 300 at 8 p.m. Saturday and at Michigan International Speedway on Sunday.

This year's $1.29 million purse is the largest ever at Kentucky Speedway. It ranks as the second-highest Busch Series purse for a standalone race and sixth overall.

Last season, Bobby Hamilton Jr. became the third different driver to win the Busch race at Kentucky Speedway.

Hamilton Jr. enters this year's race in fourth place in the Busch Series standings. Points leader Martin Truex Jr. finished second at Nashville early Sunday and took over first place from rookie Kyle Busch, who led with four laps to go but ran out of gas.

Meijer 300 tickets are available for $50-$80 by calling 888-652-RACE, and at KentuckySpeedway.com or Tickets.com outlets, including Meijer stores.

Friday's qualifying begins at 5 p.m. and will be followed by the Kentucky 150, a NASCAR Southeast Series race. All Friday tickets are $20.

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E-mail ddow@enquirer.com